Leaving a bike in Chile and flying home
 

Im currently in Panama on a trip that is either going to end up in Argentina or Chile. I posted a note earlier and I know it is possible to just leave my KLR in Argentina (they dont stamp your passport) and fly home if I just give the bike away. Is the same thing true of Chile? In other words, can I drive the bike to Santiago, give it away to some kid on the side of the street or donate it to a motorcycle shop, and then just hop on a flight back to the US? Thanks!

Nate

I have no idea about the legal ramifications of dumping a bike in Argentina or Chile, but I will tell you this: Kawasaki spares in Chile are virtually non-existent. That means that a Kawa will generally be cheaper to buy/harder to sell in Chile.

Cheers,

d.

If memory serves there was a charity in Argentina you could donate the bike to, something to do with war veterans ?

If you're going to be coming back then there is a way to store it for *ages*, legally, in Argentina although there's quite a lot of paperwork involved. Talk to Javier from Dakar Moto's for more info.

well im im santeargo chile at the moment looking to buy a moto to get me up to canada. do you have more dat on the bike . shit man you might get sum money for it

Sure if we could work something out that could be sweet. Here is some quick info about the bike, and I can get more detailed about it later on if need be.

Its a 1993 KLR650. It has 13K miles on it now, and I expect it to have about 25K miles when this is all done. I need to be in Santiago or BA by the end of October. The bikes has had the doohickey replaced, and I just did the valves. I know what shims are in so that that will save you some time. The bike runs great. We installed a Happy Trails SU rack and bolted on two 20mm steel ammo cans which have worked wonderfully both for storing stuff and for protecting the bike when it tips over. The cans both liock easily with two padlocks for each can that I have. There also is a cheap JT Whiteny trunk which the mounting broken off, but which straps scurely to the back of the bike and is taken off very easily. What else - flat corbin seat, K&N aftermakret air filter, steel braided front brake line, Terminator clutch cable with spare, Installed front progressive fork springs, and the rear shock is in good condition right now. Changing oil every 1500 miles and filter every 3000. The PO took real good care of the bike and I have tried to do the same. It has never been down at speed, but tipped over several times while on the stand. The front brake lever is bent, but is still functional, but someone else might want to put a new one on. It has some funny stickers glued on, and two flags. There is a plastic mask hanging off the back and the yarn Quetzal. Who know what else it will acquire along the way... By the end of the trip the bike will need new sprockets, chain, probably tires, etc. Think about it, whateveer. WHo knows, the bike runs great but it may keel over in the Andes somewhere.

Too see pics of the bike and from our trip so far go to www.themanifestdestiny.org

if you find out...
 

hey i'm in a similar situation. currently in panama, flying to quito in 2 days then heading south. no idea what to do with the bike either -considering shipping it back to the uk if it still runs well... but if not, looking at dumping/selling the poor blighter as well. so if you find anything out, please post your findings! your website is hilarious by the way -mine's also a klr but 2004, and i'm praying the doohickey won't give way.............................
alex

Here in Chile is not legal to import a used bike, then it have no price.

If someone want to donate a bike can live it at my home, sure I will find something to do with it, for example use it to teach my children to ride, or use it 100% off road where is not necessary to register the bike.

I syour bike on Carnet and would you change the registration when you get back to UK? May be able to help you out.

My bike is not on Carnet. Its titles in the US. I could transfer title over to you as soon as I get back to the US in early November and then mail the new one down to you, or have it mailed down by the state if you have an address that would work. Im not exactly sure how hard it is to sell to a non-US resident, but I would do my best to get it to work. Keep in touch. My email is nathanneuberger at gmail.com

Buy/sell
 

Hi,
I have emailed a few people to find out the legal stuff about whether we can do this without too much grief and to see if I can transfere the bike to a UK issued carnet. When I get the replies I´ll let you know.
Fraser

Awesome. I will greatly appreciate the info. And thanks for the directions to the shop in Bolivia. I think that we have ecided that we are going to press on to BA and get tires there. Im not really sure how far La Paz is from BA, but I think my tires have 3-4K miles left, which should be sufficient. But thanks for the help.

Nate

leaving a bike in Chile
 

For future reference, we sometimes buy used bikes (esp KLRs) that are not registerable in Chile (you cannot import and register a used motorcycle in Chile anymore). Here is the catch: we are in Patagonia, in Puerto Natales. But that might work for you since you can finish up in Ushuaia or wherever and we are just 2 or 3 days riding northwest of Ushuaia, and just 2 hours to the international airport at Punta Arenas. Contact patagonia [at] ekit [dot] com.

no import of bikes to chile?
 

Buenas,

Does that rule (no import of bikes to chile) apply to chilean citizens as well..

I am planning on moving to Chile. My wife is Chilean. I want to put it in here name and bring my bike to chile.

You are saying that is a no go?

If so I need to buy in Chile - Are there new bikes to be had in Santiago?

We we be around Iquique. I did not see much when I was there last time.

I'd be looking at gs, klr, - adv. touring bikes.

thanks
mr. bob

MR BOB
My wife is also chillean. I will be down there in january & I intend to do some research into same as I would like to ride my bike south from illinois and leave it there (some time in early 08). I read on a website called escapeartist.com that it is possible but the devil is in the detail.
will post details if I get them

pj

Yeah, I am going to do some checking as well, I will be getting down there in Feb.

I will post any "reliable" info if I get it.

I am heading to the north - Iquique and Arica.

have a good trip.

Mr. bob

Cannot import and register used bikes in Chile
 

With respect to importing a used bike into Chile (and registering it there under Chilean plates), this has been not permitted under the law there since about 1998. Various angles have been tried but few have been consistently successful. In theory, some " returning Chileans" may have the right to bring one vehicle after living outside Chile for some considerable period of time. Supposedly you can import a NEW zero-km auto or bike, but almost definitely not a used one. Applies to foreigners and Chileans alike. Some people (me included) will sometimes buy used KLR650 for the value of spares and accessories - we are located in Puerto Natales, in southern Patagonia.

Patagoniax
For me selling/donating a bike illegally is not anoption in either chile or argentina as I visit both yearly and need reentry without problem. If there is a way leaglly I will be interested in selling it when I arrive (if all other options fail). As I said before my wife is a chillean citizen living in states for over 10 years and that will be my first approach.
Another solution may be to dump in Peru when finished.

Thanks.

cannot import used bikes/vehicles in Chile
 

As mentioned earlier, neither foreigners nor Chilean nationals can legally import a used vehicle into Chile. There are a few exceptions but they are very limited. Chile allows residents of the I and XII regions to do a limited use ("red plates") importation but the use of that vehicle is restricted to those regions (I and XII regions). Red plate vehicles can get short term permission to briefly visit the rest of Chile. How do I know this? Because all of my KLR rental fleet bikes except one are on red plates (I run tours of the XII region and southern Argentina/Tierra del Fuego with red plate bikes). If a foreign rider wishes to unload a bike in southern Patagonia (XII region) then we can sometimes pay a fair price for such a bike, depending on condition and accessories (pre 2008 KLRs are preferred). Contact patagonia [at] ekit [dot] com.

interested,bike
 

am planning a trip tosouth america-sept.,oct..may be interested in bike if you still have it. no definate plans,but plan to visit argentina.and maybe beyond.so if you still interested,and its still fairly mechanical drop me a line.-paulblois@hotmail.com thankyou.